Global Sourcing Services
Today's Challenge
Flexible sourcing on a global basis is becoming a viable alternative for every industry.
However, the rules are continuously changing due to limitations and restrictions
in each market. For example, in China, the government is trying to control and manage
growth by limiting the variety of business entities. To successfully source product,
you must clearly understand the culture, the business, and the government of the
sourcing country.
Hidden costs
In certain countries, ISO 9000 or ISO/TS 16949:2009 certified suppliers may appear
to be capable of delivering products and yet habitually not be able to perform.
Hidden costs can result from:
- local environment
- cultural differences
- higher business complexities
- inconsistencies of utilities
- unknown levels of bureaucracy
- lack of enforceable laws
- unevenness in the abilities of local workers
- high employee turnover
- additional travel costs
- integration of IT systems
- cost for urgent delivery flights
- communication delays as a result of time differences.
Plantech has a strong track record of assisting clients making successful moves
into Asia. With over 10 years of experience in Asia, and offices in Thailand, China
and India, Plantech has become the provider of choice for many multinational corporations
doing business in Asia. Any company who is outsourcing products and services, obtaining
joint venture partners, and establishing business and manufacturing operations in
Asia can benefit from our experience. Plantech has worked with many of the leading
automotive OEMs and suppliers like Ford, Visteon, Cummins and numerous service organizations.
Global Sourcing Services
Phase I: Supplier Identification
Plantech will work with you to identify the products or services that can be successfully
sourced in Asia. In developing a "roadmap for success," Plantech will
help determine the success metrics, conduct an initial business assessment of potential
suppliers or partners, and then recommend the most suitable supplier. We strive
to make sure that suppliers are able to meet the milestones and timetables that
you set.
Phase II: Supplier Development
Whether you decide to source or partner in Asia, Plantech will work with your project
leader(s) to ensure a successful product development process. Plantech will liaison
and transfer knowledge between you and your supplier throughout the entire process.
At the end of Plantech's engagement, the supplier will provide you with a successful
product that meets all your Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) criteria. All
factors including quality, delivery, and packaging risks will be considered to provide
a high quality product at cost and on time while conforming to US and International
standards for performance.
Ongoing Support
Following the completion of supplier development services, Plantech can provide
product containment services until you are confident of a supplier's quality. In
fact, Plantech is one of only a few firms authorized to handle the most difficult
supplier development issues (e.g., DaimlerChrysler's SIP program and Visteon's 3rd
Party Supplier Development program).
Additional Services
In addition to the partner development and operational services outlined, Plantech
will help you negotiate an agreement suitable for suppliers or partners. If your
decision is to set up your own operations in Asia, Plantech will help identify legal
and accounting firms as well as provide introductions to various governmental agencies.
Furthermore Plantech can assist in the identification and recruiting of top management
personnel.
Success Stories
India
Plantech partnered with an Indian OEM, TATA Motors, and their 300+ component suppliers
to successfully launch a new automobile. Plantech developed a process to take all
300+ suppliers through a product development process and were taught US automotive
technologies including APQP, PPAP, process optimization, FMEA and Control Plans.
After the involvement of Plantech, all 300+ suppliers successfully completed new
product approvals with their customers.
Plantech was contracted by Ford India to introduce the Ford automotive culture to
Ford's 135 suppliers in India to prepare for model launch of the Ford Escort in
India. As part of this engagement, Plantech provided training and hands on assistance
to top management, engineering, and quality departments help them understand the
role of a supplier in the automotive industry.
China
A large US engine manufacturer wanted to relocate a diesel engine plant in China.
Plantech helped both the US and Chinese-based organizations develop management systems
to provide a product that met our client's international standards for product,
quality and delivery. Plantech worked with the management, engineering and quality
teams to successfully transfer the product and engineering technology to the Chinese
operations. Due to our joint efforts in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
the product was launched on time and product data confirmed that the product engineering
specifications met international standards for quality.
Plantech also worked with a JV partner for a major tier one in China. We helped
with plant operations, design and implementation, management systems, processes
and new product development. Plantech helped this client perform PPAP on the product
and get customer approval as well.
We helped Diesel Locomotive Works ("DLW") a diesel locomotive manufacturer
that has a transfer of technology agreement with GM-Locomotive group in the USA
and their JV partner in India to implement a new product development strategy. We
trained the employees to execute the strategy, producing a very successful product
launch.
We have worked with SAIC, the JV partner to GM and Volkswagen in China to improve
their supply base in China. Plantech provided regular implementation training for
the suppliers and helped many of them